Smith's Grand Slam Helps Softball Grab Their First Doubleheader Sweep

Recap courtesy of Husson

LEESBURG, Fla. -Olivia Smith stepped up her game at the plate on Monday, smashing her first career grand slam to help Husson University softball (3-3) take a 12-0 win over Finlandia University (1-8). Smith along with Tamara Aunchman, drove yet another ball over the fence against Westfield State University (0-3) for their first doubleheader sweep as they outscored the Owls, 9-5, at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex at the 2019 Spring Games Tournament.

GAME 1: HUSSON 12, FINLANDIA 0
IN THE ACTION:
The first game of the day for Husson only went five innings, and saw the Eagles' offense tally 14 hits in the victory.  The squad opened up scoring in the second inning, executing a distraction double steal to manufacture a run.  Jen Jones attempted to steal second base, and on the throw Kasey Poligni dashed home to put the first run of the game on the scoreboard.

Consecutive singles from the Brochu cousins and Chloe Gorey loaded up the bases Smith appreached
the batter's box. With a 2-0 count, Smith swung back and launched the bat towards the ball for her hit of the day with the grand slam. The frame ended with the Eagles leading 6-0.

The fourth inning saw Husson's lead double on the scoreboard to 12-0.  Bri Brochu doubled in Arika Brochu, and then ran around the bases scoring on another hard shot to left center by Smith, with Gorey on her heels. Jones and Kylie Cunningham both picked up an RBI to close out the scoring in just four innings at bat.

PITCHERS:
A. Brochu made her third start of the season, giving up just one hit in three innings of work, earning her second victory. Alyssa Pest replaced her for the final two frames, also allowing just one hit, one walk, and picking up her first career strikeout and putout at first.

For Finlandia, starter Kassandra Avila (0-3) provided the Lions with 3.1 innings of work, allowing eight runs to score.  Reliever Kyndell Coffman finished out the game in the circle for the Owls, send two batters back to the dugout.

GAME 2: HUSSON 9, WESTFIELD STATE 5
The Owls jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, making use of a fielding error to score two earned runs.  Caitlin Hughes had the lone RBI, scoring Lindsay Cordopatri on a sacrifice fly to left field.

Arika Brochu doubled to center in the second, scoring both Shelby Burge and Kylie Cunningham in the process to cut the deficit to 3-2.  The Owls quickly retaliated in the top of the inning, extending their lead back to three as they loaded up the bases pushing players home.

Husson evened the score in the bottom of the third as Tamara Aunchman blasted a two-run homer well over the fence.  A. Brochu followed the effort with a double, picking up an additional RBI to tie the game at fives.

Olivia Smith hit her second ball over the fence on Monday, for a go-ahead homer to put the Eagles up 6-5 in the fourth and continued to tack on the runs in the sixth as they picked up the 9-5 victory.

PITCHING:
Jen Jones made the start for the Eagles, working for 2.1 innings.  She allowed gave up three hits struck out two batters.  A. Brochu came on in relief and earned the win, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing four hits, two walks, and zero runs.

Owls' starter Emily Woodworth lasted two innings, allowing three earned runs to score while Brenna Welch was tagged with the loss, going four innings with three strikeouts and giving up just one earned run.

UP NEXT!
The Eagles are next in action on Wednesday, March 13th facing Amherst College and The Catholic University of America in a doubleheader.  The games will take place at 4:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. at the Hancock Recreational Complex in Clermont, Fla.